helicopper

Did Putnam 911 send their dispatchers for EMD training? Are they providing that service?

"just send some of their guys to Medic school"? Look at the complexity and time commitment for medic school and for a SWAT trained police officer - each role is an enormous responsibility and to ask a person to train for both obligations is tough. (Not impossible, but he/she may as well say goodbye to their family for a while.) Also, how will a cop keep his medic skills sharp without working in an EMS agency. If their agency is not an ALS provider and let's face it, there's only ONE in the region, they would then be obligated to work for an ALS provider. All around the country there are civilian SWAT trained medical providers from EMT's right up through MD's. Seems to be working so far!

Hopefully they use reputable instructors if they venture into the fire or emergency management arenas. I attended classes at an upstate community college and most of the students knew more than the so-called professor - complete waste of time and money!

And from a friend of mine in the State Police, they are being VERY CLOSELY monitored for compliance with this directive! There is no "hey, I'm a (choose one FF, EMT, doctor, lawyer, indian chief) can you help me out?" When asked how long this was likely to last, the answer was FOREVER (It is important to recognize that "forever" in political terms could be next January). If you get stopped, be polite and repentant (even if you don't mean it), and hope you don't get written - once it's on paper IT IS DONE! And yes, the local courts are going to be seriously backed up by this. They would put dozens of tickets on the calendar every hour of the court day and maybe 10% would go to trial... Now that it will be 100%, there are going to be long delays.

"It's a matter of choice." Interesting perspective. It's not a matter of choice when a large part of my insurance premiums are due to medical costs associated with treating people who didn't wear seatbelts or helmets (for you motorcyclists in the bunch). Hospitals have no choice but to treat victims of accidents whose injuries are worse than they would have been if they were wearing seatbelts or helmets. Hospitals pass those costs on to us in higher costs! Rehabilitation takes longer and is more involved for those exercising "their choice". Those costs affect us all. So, while I'm a supporter of individual rights, I'm not so sure that this is an "individual" right!

As I understand it, the guy was imprisoned for refusing to pay the fine following a conviction in traffic court for failing to wear his seatbelt. The fine of 55 dollars could have been paid and he could have walked out the door but he opted to refuse resulting in what must have been a contempt of court situation. His being a volunteer FF has nothing to do with it, nor should it! You're not going to get special consideration from a judge because he chooses to "risk his life" and "wants to help".

Last time I checked, the Court of Appeals ruled that the death penalty statute was constitutional - something about problems with the way it is explained to jurors or something. Since then, there hasn't even been a death penalty prosecution let alone an execution. I don't think NYS has executed anyone since 1976 or so... Right now there are only two inmates on death row and it is unlikely they'll be executed anytime soon!

I don't know how many of you remember but when Alex Mengel was shot and killed by a trooper on the Taconic while transporting him back to Westchester to face murder charges for the execution of a County cop. Trooper in the back seat said that Mengel attacked him, had bite marks to prove it, and the front seat trooper turned and shot him, fatally. Fortunately for the State Police a witness in the car behind them corroborated the story. Said he saw a struggle, the car swerved a little, and then there was a flash. We can only hope that something similar happens to this piece of S4!t!!

Thank you Res6cue! While I share the sentiment about most reporters, this guy didn't do anything to deserve broken ribs, lacerations, and a human bite. The couple who were the subject of his report also have a history of assaultive behavior on their so-called clients (victims?). So, with all that in mind, I'm not passing judgement on the reporter - rather I'm saying that those two loons need to spend some time in the big house! I do have a question about the camera man though. If one of your colleagues is getting his a$$ kicked, are you going to stand their filming it or are you going to help the poor ba$+ard?

Check out http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/1998/HAR9802S.pdf for the report on the gasoline tanker accident Yonkers and http://hazmat.dot.gov/pubs/White_Plains_draft_report.pdf for the propane tanker accident in White Plains.

Most people just don't care. Courtesy is gone and everyone thinks they're more important than anyone else especially on the road. I WISH we heard more stories like yours... But you know the deal, there's never a cop around when you need one!

Splitting lanes in the WRONG direction on a divided highway and riding down a turn lane at high speed is a recipe for disaster. As someone else said, if people aren't hanging out of windows, that's excessive. I'm sure that the presence of the video camera in the cab heightened the drivers "motivation" but it certainly did nothing to improve his (or any other drivers) reaction time. I'm glad that kind of driving is the exception rather than the rule!

There are also two ICS Intermediate Courses (I-300) in September in Westchester County... One in New Rochelle (9/11-9/13) and one in Valhalla (9/20-9/22). Check the SEMO or County websites for info.

If you're a career firefighter, police officer, corrections officer, etc. and you're injured in the line of duty you get full pay - not $400. If you're eligible for 207-c status you'll get full pay and taxes won't be withheld. That's ALOT different than 400 bucks when your mortgage comes due!

They're also building a major facility for training of all emergency services in the center of the state - maybe it should be expanded for traditional fire service training. The press release: PRESS RELEASES - 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 5, 2005 GOVERNOR PATAKI ANNOUNCES ONEIDA COUNTY TO BE HOME FOR NEW STATE PREPAREDNESS TRAINING CENTER -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State-of-the Art Facility Will Provide Advanced Training for New York First Responders Governor George E. Pataki today announced that the Oneida County Airport, located in Oriskany, has been selected as the site of the New York State Preparedness Training Center. First unveiled by the Governor in his 2005 State of the State address, the nation's first State Preparedness Training Center, centrally located in the Mohawk Valley, will serve as the hub for emergency response training for natural, technological and terrorism related disasters for first responders at all levels of government. "There is no greater priority than ensuring the protection and safety of all New Yorkers," Governor Pataki said. "This state-of-the-art center is our latest initiative to ensure that our police, fire, emergency medical services - - and the entire first responder community - - receive the most advanced training to be able to respond to any emergency." "Our goal is to develop this training facility into a federally recognized and accredited Center, which will serve as a model for the nation and the training hub for the first response community from across the Northeast. There is no better location for this critical new facility than the Mohawk Valley, and the selection of the Oneida County Airport will ensure that this important training begins as soon as possible," the Governor added. Governor Pataki also announced that future plans at the former airport location include the construction of a state-of-the-art emergency operations center for Oneida County and New York State agencies. The operations center, also known as a command center, will provide a practical classroom setting for first responders across the State. Additionally, it could be utilized by Oneida, neighboring counties and State agencies in the event a catastrophic event or disaster occurs in the central part of the state. Congressman Sherwood Boehlert said, "Homeland Security must remain our number one domestic priority. I am pleased with the federal government's commitment to providing New York State with a portion of the funding to help make this new Homeland Security Training Center a reality. I commend Governor Pataki for his leadership and sincere commitment to safeguarding New York State from future terrorist attacks. Knowledge is power. This new Training Center will provide first responders -- from across the Upstate New York -- with the skills and knowledge to best serve and protect all New Yorkers." Senator Raymond A. Meier said, "Today's announcement recognizes our area's growing role in Homeland Security. The Air Force Research Lab in Rome, the Utica Fire Academy, criminal justice and cyber-security programs at Utica College, and now this new center puts us at the cutting edge of emergency preparedness. I commend Governor Pataki on this selection and am delighted that Oneida County will be hosting such a vital resource." Senator Michael Balboni, Chairman of the State Senate Committee on Homeland Security, said, "This announcement represents Governor Pataki's commitment to Homeland Security preparedness and promises made and promises kept. The Governor announced this initiative several years ago, and though many in the media wish to move on from this important work, the Governor is staying the course." Assemblywoman RoAnn M. Destito said, "I am confident that the Mohawk Valley region will soon be known as a center for the training of first responders. This is another positive development that will help lead to the diversification of our economy, and that will put us on the map for an activity that will help strengthen homeland security for our state and our nation." William Barry, former Whitestown Supervisor and chair of the Oneida County Airport Re-Use Committee said, "This project will be an anchor that will help move our re-use efforts forward in a positive direction. The center is a tremendous fit with the law enforcement and emergency management activities already in the airport area, has a great potential for expansion, and will add to the blend of new and existing uses of the outstanding facilities at the airport. This is a wonderful step forward for the airport, for the town of Whitestown, and our entire region and I look forward to seeing final plans for this center." Training at the state-of-the-art facility is scheduled to begin in mid-2006. The terminal at the county airport will house classroom and administration space and allow for future expansion. Other existing buildings may be used to house research and development facilities, and have space for operational training to include WMD, response, prevention and recovery along with a partnership with the City of Utica Fire Department to provide hazardous materials and technical rescue training. The tarmac will serve as the site for an emergency vehicle operations course that can be utilized by both State and local first responders. The Center's security perimeter and secluded location are ideal for conducting "real time" training exercises without impacting surrounding neighbors. The Oneida County Airport site was selected after an exhaustive assessment process of more than seven months during which prospective sites were weighed against the following criteria: Capacity of facility that could accommodate 500-600 training slots simultaneously; Immediate availability of space for classrooms and potential for future expansion; Cost-effective capital investments required to establish the initial facility in keeping with environmental and potential health concerns; Security of location and seclusion of site; Open space that would be required for real-life training and exercises including the establishment of an emergency vehicle operations course; Potential for future expansion of the training facility as the State curriculum evolves as well as the construction of a state-of-the-art emergency operations center in the Mohawk Valley; Proximity to transportation infrastructure; Availability of lodging and dining for trainees; Recurring operational costs; and Site closest to becoming a turn-key operation. Other Mohawk Valley locations considered in the site assessment process were the Old Main building at the former Utica Psychiatric Center; the Mid-State Correctional facility in Marcy and the Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome. The Governor made available $1 million for the State Office of Homeland Security's development of the Center's overall concept along with a statewide training and exercise strategy that will ensure a comprehensive approach to raising the level of awareness and preparedness in the ranks of the state's first responders. The Office of Homeland Security chaired a steering committee of State agencies which developed the strategy and are participating in the planning of the new training center. Those agencies include State Emergency Management Office, Division of State Police, Department of Health, Division of Criminal Justice Services, and the Office of Fire Prevention and Control. Director of the State Emergency Management Office John R. Gibb, said, "This facility will provide a much-needed venue where we can coordinate the training of emergency response and management professionals from across the state, which is vital to the delivery of assistance to our citizens when they need it most." New York State Office of Homeland Security Director James W. McMahon said, "While all of the sites investigated had strengths as to why they should host the state training center, they were outweighed by weaknesses at the other three sites that included the costs of renovation, lack of seclusion, inability of future expansion, and an inordinate amount of time that would have delayed the opening of the facility. The airport site will provide first responders the classroom facilities they need as well as the necessary open space for training exercises that are vital to enhancing their preparedness and response capabilities." State Police Superintendent Wayne E. Bennett said, "This centrally located, state-of-the-art, secure training facility will enhance field delivery of relevant specialized training in the law enforcement community. The New York State Preparedness Training Center will provide unparalleled training opportunities for emergency responders to expand and hone their skills to better serve the citizens of our state." Department of State Acting Secretary of State Frank P. Milano, whose office oversees the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control and the training first responders in firefighting, urban search and rescue and WMD response, said, "By establishing the New York State Preparedness Training Center in Oneida County, Governor Pataki has again demonstrated his commitment to ensure that New York's first responders receive the most advanced regional and integrated training, second to none, which will enable those first responders to provide for the safety of New Yorkers everywhere to the highest level possible." New York State Director of Criminal Justice Chauncey G. Parker said, "The creation of a state preparedness center is just another step taken by Governor Pataki to make New York the safest state in the nation. By developing a facility where all of our law enforcement professionals and emergency responders can receive the most advanced and comprehensive trainings, the Governor has once again ensured that New York State will be prepared to respond to any emergency." Department of Health Commissioner Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H., Dr.P.H. said, "The new Preparedness Training Center in Oneida will further strengthen and enhance New York State's 'all hazards' emergency preparedness capabilities and ability to respond to any potential health emergency or act of terrorism. This new training hub will serve as a national model while providing vital training and experience to our emergency response personnel on all fronts. This world-class training center will help prepare first responders for any emergency situation and further bolsters our ability to protect the health and safety of New Yorkers." In addition to the selection of the airport facility, the Office of Homeland Security has had discussions with the four area colleges - Utica College, The State University of New York Institute of Technology (SUNYIT), Herkimer County Community College and Mohawk Valley Community College - to explore a partnership in developing a regional approach for delivering preparedness training. OHS has had similar discussions with 4-year and community colleges around the state.

I don't think enrollment or support of the OFPC satellite is the issue here. The military is using the facility again and that demand calls for it to reclaim it's space. In the years that the military was being downsized with every budget, Camp Smith worked with the State and other agencies to generate activity that would allow the military base to remain open while others were being closed... It was a great arrangement but the military needs the real estate now. Lousy deal for us but probably not a lot we can do about it.

Any idea what they're going over for?

Last night on the news I caught the tail end of a story about the Brewster FD sending people to the Middle East... Video showed a group of FF in dress uniforms at the airport. Anyone know where they're going and what for? Sounds like an interesting story but I didn't see it anywhere else today.

To thoroughly beat the proverbial dead horse, the crimes were actually burglary and larceny. Burglary was entering the FD to steal stuff and the larceny was actually stealing the stuff. The media routinely screws up the difference between robbery and burglary. Big surprise!

NIMS was supposed to require the use of plain English for ALL operations but there was such an outcry against it that they backed off and have taken the position that plain English or clear text will be used on any interagency or mutual aid response. That makes sense since if we stick to different radio codes, we'll never understand each other.

I just hope he only HEARS crap!!!! Absolutely right, MASK UP!

It is interesting to note that the EAST side of the County will benefit from this new service (perhaps) while the WEST side of the County still has volunteer agencies that have trouble getting out the door. Is the WEST side of the County going to be paying less than the EAST side - I think not!!! If an ambulance on the WEST side can't get out are they going to send one of the paid ambulances from the EAST side? Don't worry about the winter, though. One of the rumors about Empire State is that they immediately ordered Hummer fly-cars... Sounds like they've got their priorities straight - don't worry about staffing with quality/experienced personnel, run right out and buy the biggest most fuel IN-efficient vehicles possible? What was PCBES thinking???

Well, we agree that elected officials do a pitiful job of adequately protecting their communities by nickel and diming emergency services at every turn. It's not a matter of the mutual aid police or laws governing the use of mutual aid. It's a matter of not hamstringing an IC with unncecessary resource changes in the midst of an incident. My point, and the point of several others who posted here, is that a resource assigned to an incident is under the control of the IC at that incident and no longer his hometown. Leaving without the concurrence of the IC is dangerous and makes his job harder. If you have a working job in your town and need to return, and your Chief communicates with the mutual aid IC to get you released, that changes things quite a bit. Units should not have that discretion without the involvement of Chief officers and the IC in particular. Resource management and coordination is one of the mandates of NIMS - a mandate that is not going away anytime soon and makes compliance necessary for future $$$. With that in mind, maybe we should all get on the same page and coordinate our efforts better. We've all seen the "opposite" done at one time or another - that doesn't make it the "right thing".

Some observations on the above comments... It is not the right of the "working Deputy Chief" in City A to call his resources back from City B. He has no idea what the conditions are at the incident resulting in the call for mutual aid nor does he have information on what the relocated resource may be doing later in the operation - maybe it isn't being used RIGHT NOW but it is that IC's resource until it is released. The agency requiring mutual aid has enough to do without worrying about filling assignments repeatedly because you have to go back to your City. This could result in multiple mutual aid requests for the same incident - unnecessary, duplicative and potentially dangerous. If your sole concern is your own municipality and it's citizenry, why are you in the Mutual Aid plan at all? Reading between the lines, I see much more at work here than the application of mutual aid and the use of resources. Does your agency use mutual aid? How would you like your FAST/RIT team to leave you during an incident? Mutual aid is not flexible - the IC is responsible for mutual aid resources and that is spelled out in the law. If he or she chooses to release a resource for another assignment, that's fine but it MUST be his decision and not the decision of someone else, somewhere else or the apparatus themselves. Your attention shouldn't be focused elsewhere! Your FDNY example reinforces the point about NOT doing what you suggest. If the FAST team gets put to work and another FAST team is requested, they are maintaining an on-site capability that is, in Westchester's case often accomplished with mutual aid. If that FDNY chief turned around and tried to assign the FAST team to work and it wasn't there, there would be a delay in those operations and a setback to the whole operation. Finally, this has nothing to do with career or volunteer. That statement has no place in this discussion. The examples you're citing are all career departments with inadequate management and staffing so you shouldn't cast stones from your glass firehouse!

AMEN!